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"Son las ocho" is a phrase which is often translated as "it's eight o'clock", and "cuatro" is an adjective which is often translated as "four". Learn more about the difference between "son las ocho" and "cuatro" below.
son las ocho(
sohn
lahs
oh
-
choh
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. it's eight o'clock
Son las ocho, Rafael. Levántate ya, que hay que ir a la escuela.It's eight o'clock, Rafael. Get up now. You have to go to school.
cuatro(
kwah
-
troh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
2. (number)
3. (colloquial) (trap) (Mexico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. setup
La policía le puso un cuatro a los criminales.The police organized a setup for the criminals.
4. (musical instrument) (Colombia) (Puerto Rico) (Venezuela)
Regionalism used in Colombia
Regionalism used in Puerto Rico
Regionalism used in Venezuela
a. cuatro
Vimos a muchos hombres tocando el cuatro en las calles de Caracas.We saw many men playing the cuatro on the streets of Caracas.